PREJUDICEPREJUDICE

PRE JUDGEPRE JUDGE

On what basis is prejudging On what basis is prejudging usually made?usually made?

EmotionEmotion RumorRumor FeelingsFeelings

Not based on fact or reason

Prejudice against the Jews, Prejudice against the Jews, which we will see in which we will see in NightNight, is , is

not unique.not unique. Quite early in history groups have viewed Quite early in history groups have viewed

others through a closed mind or judged others through a closed mind or judged them negatively without knowing any them negatively without knowing any member of the group on a personal basis.member of the group on a personal basis.

This is a human failing; one often makes This is a human failing; one often makes emotional judgements, not rational onesemotional judgements, not rational ones

Have you ever mistakenly viewed Have you ever mistakenly viewed someone because of what he or she someone because of what he or she looked like, or saw someone else do so?looked like, or saw someone else do so?

RACISMRACISM

Hatred of all members of a particular Hatred of all members of a particular race or ethnic group. It is an race or ethnic group. It is an extreme often violent form of extreme often violent form of prejudice that disregards the prejudice that disregards the individual qualities of the members individual qualities of the members of the hated group. of the hated group.

What are some current examples of What are some current examples of racism?racism?

ANTI-SEMITISMANTI-SEMITISM

Hatred of a person of Jewish originHatred of a person of Jewish origin

Began over 2000 years ago, not just Began over 2000 years ago, not just with the rise of the Nazi Party.with the rise of the Nazi Party.

Over 2000 years ago, Jews were Over 2000 years ago, Jews were targets of anti-Semitism and targets of anti-Semitism and genocide in Egypt, Africa. genocide in Egypt, Africa.

GENOCIDEGENOCIDE

Term created AFTER WWII as a result of Term created AFTER WWII as a result of how Jews and other ethnic groups were how Jews and other ethnic groups were mistreated during the war.mistreated during the war.

Root: Greek GENOS, meaning race, Root: Greek GENOS, meaning race, tribe or nationtribe or nation

Suffix: Latin CIDE, meaning killingSuffix: Latin CIDE, meaning killing The intent of genocide is the total The intent of genocide is the total

annihilation of a race or ethnic group. annihilation of a race or ethnic group. Genocide is a result of prejudice being Genocide is a result of prejudice being

taken to an extreme degree.taken to an extreme degree.

HOLOCAUSTHOLOCAUST

It’s Greek root means burnt whole.It’s Greek root means burnt whole.

1. a great or complete devastation or 1. a great or complete devastation or destruction, esp. by fire. destruction, esp. by fire.

2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt 2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering. offering.

3. 3. (usually initial capital letter ) (usually initial capital letter ) the systematic the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II concentration camps during World War II (usually prec. by (usually prec. by thethe). ).

4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of 4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of lifelife

Background Setting Background Setting Information on Information on NightNight

Hungary was one of the last countries Hungary was one of the last countries that Hitler conquered. Thus, the book that Hitler conquered. Thus, the book begins in 1941. Although the begins in 1941. Although the beginning of the novel coincides with beginning of the novel coincides with America’s involvement in the war, America’s involvement in the war, there has been persecution, there has been persecution, legislation and segregation legislation and segregation throughout Eastern Europe for the throughout Eastern Europe for the past 5-6 years before the book starts. past 5-6 years before the book starts.

Background Setting Background Setting Information on Information on NightNight

Elie is being raised as a religious Jew, Elie is being raised as a religious Jew, somewhat isolated from what is happening somewhat isolated from what is happening in the world since he is living in a small in the world since he is living in a small town in Hungary.town in Hungary.

It is the plan of the Nazis to keep Jews and It is the plan of the Nazis to keep Jews and other persecuted groups like gypsies, other persecuted groups like gypsies, handicapped, Jehovah Witnesses and handicapped, Jehovah Witnesses and communists in the dark as to what would communists in the dark as to what would be their fate so that they would have less be their fate so that they would have less trouble controlling them.trouble controlling them.

Background Setting Background Setting Information on Information on NightNight

Had Jews, especially young Jews, Had Jews, especially young Jews, known about their fate, they would known about their fate, they would not have chosen to comply with the not have chosen to comply with the Nazis and would have put up greater Nazis and would have put up greater resistanceresistance

Much of the world stood by Much of the world stood by apathetically and did nothing to apathetically and did nothing to provide aid at this time. provide aid at this time.

Jewish Vocabulary in the Jewish Vocabulary in the NovelNovel

Torah – the term for the body of Jewish Torah – the term for the body of Jewish literature, law and teaching contained in literature, law and teaching contained in the Old Testament and the Talmudthe Old Testament and the Talmud

Talmud – the collection of Jewish law and Talmud – the collection of Jewish law and tradition based on the Mishnahtradition based on the Mishnah

Mishnah – the laws themselvesMishnah – the laws themselves Gemara – the discussion of the lawGemara – the discussion of the law Kabbalah – spelled cabbala in the novel; Kabbalah – spelled cabbala in the novel;

consists of the mystical interpretation of the consists of the mystical interpretation of the ScripturesScriptures

Jews Gradually Lost Their Jews Gradually Lost Their FreedomsFreedoms

“The Race Towards Death”“The Race Towards Death” Foreign Jews expelled and killedForeign Jews expelled and killed Nazis stay in Jewish homes, distant yet polite – giving a Nazis stay in Jewish homes, distant yet polite – giving a

false sense of securityfalse sense of security Closing of synagoguesClosing of synagogues Arrest of Jewish community leadersArrest of Jewish community leaders Jews confined to their homes for three daysJews confined to their homes for three days Hungarian police confiscated gold, jewelry and other Hungarian police confiscated gold, jewelry and other

objects of valueobjects of value Jews must wear the yellow Star of DavidJews must wear the yellow Star of David Jews excluded from restaurants, railroadsJews excluded from restaurants, railroads Jewish curfewJewish curfew Jews put in Ghettos with barbed wireJews put in Ghettos with barbed wire Jews taken to forced laborJews taken to forced labor Jews deported to Poland to concentration and death Jews deported to Poland to concentration and death

campscamps